Combined lighting and ventilating system



A ril 6, 1965 G. K. RAIDER ETAL COMBINED LIGHTING AND VENTILATING SYSTEM 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 16, 1963 April 6, 1965 G. K. RAIDER ETAL COMBINED LIGHTING AND VENTILATING SYSTEM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 16, 1963 m w mg m g m W5 1 W 1a A e r 9/ Z m April 6, 1965 G. K. RAIDER ETAL COMBINED LIGHTING AND VENTILATING SYSTEM Filed Jan. 16, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 r 0 mp6 KJLA United States Patent The present invention relates generally to a'combined air and light distributor unit, and components therefor, which unit is particularly characterized by the utilization of means forming air distributing surfaces at margins of a light distributing source whereby a space opposite the unit will be ventilated concurrently with the reflection of the light rays from the distributing unit.

The invention more particularly relates to a new and improved slot-type air diffuser for use in a ceiling construction of the type wherein ventilating air is distributed and illumination is emitted from the ceiling of a room.

This invention further relates to a new and improved system for distributing air from a main air duct to a combined air-light distributor unit having one or more slottype air diffusers which system includes an apportioning box connected with the main duct and also connected with each of the air diffusers. By including an apportioning box in the system, a single air flow regulating valve can be mounted within the apportioning box inlet for regulating flow to a selected plural group of air diffusers or outlets in a ventilating system and without the necessity of providing a valve for each individual air diffuser.

More specifically, the air diffuser is comprised of a pair of fittings including a first channel-shaped fitting defining an air slot. The first channel-shaped fitting may comprise an extrusion or be integral with a troifer light housing. A second fitting is provided having a lower end engaged within the channel defined by the first fitting and which second fitting is provided with a plenum chamber con nected by a flexible hose to an apportioning box inlet, according to other features of the invention.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a new and improved slot-type ventilating means which can be incorporated in a ceiling construction utilizing fluorescent troi'fer lights.

Another object of this invention is to provide a slot-type ventilating means having a channel-shaped fitting which comprises an extrusion which can be economically manufactured and installed.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an an air and lighting system for combination with a ceiling of a room to be ventilated and illuminated, which system includes an apportioning box capable of apportioning air flow to plural air diffuser units.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a combination lighting and illuminating unit for installation as a part of a false ceiling and which unit includes a troffer light housing having separate diffusers along opposite margins in integral assembly together wherein the functions of air distribution and light emission are accomplished in a single combination unit, but wherein the air flow and light emission are physically independent.

Many other objects, features and additional advantages will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description which follows and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which several preferred forms of the present invention are shown by way of illustrative examples.

On the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary side view showing a false ceiling of an architectural structure incorporating the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section of a combined lighting and ventilating unit and an air supply system therefor provided in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of a modified type of a ventilating unit as seen on the line Ill-Ill looking in the direction indicated by the arrows in FEGURE 4;

FIGURE 4 is an end View of the ventilating unit shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom View of the ventilating unit as seen on the line VV looking .in the direction indicated by the arrows on FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section illustrating still another modified type of a ventilating unit embodying further features of the present invention.

As shown on the drawings:

The principles of the present invention are of particular utility when utilized in a ceiling ventilating-lighting system. Thus, as shown in FIGURE 1, the main ceiling of an architectural structure is illustrated at 10 and a sub ceiling or false ceiling 11 is provided which is spaced below the main ceiling it), thereby providing a space into which may extend a primary air duct 12 of a ventilating system.

The false ceiling 11 may have formed therein a plurality of openings 13 and in each of the openings a combination lighting-ventilating unit of the present invention may be inserted, which combination ventilating-lighting units are indicated generally at 14. Ventilating air from the primary air duct 12 may be conducted to each respective unit 14- by means of a flexible conduit 15.

According to important features of the present invention, the conduit 15 is connected to an apportioning box or unit in at apportioning box inlet 17. The apportioning box 16 is further provided with apportioning box outlets 18 and 1h and flexible conduits 2b and 21 are provided to join the apportioning box 16 with the combined lighting and ventilating unit 14.

The unit 14 includes a troifer light housing 22 of the glass bottomed type wherein rays of light are diffused through a diffusion member extending across the bottom of the trough and disposed as a continuation of the ceiling surface defined by the false ceiling 11. The diffuser 23 may conveniently comprise a sheet form article made of glass .or plastic or other material capable of transmitting light rays. Itwill be understood, of course, that other forms of troffer light units could be used, for example, troifer lights having egg-crate diffusion means or other specific forms of internal light reflecting means.

The unit 14 includes a pair of slot-type air diffusers 27 mounted along opposite margins of the troifer light housing 22. Since the diffusers 27 are identical, the same reference numerals have been employed to represent corresponding parts and a description of one of the diffusers 27 will serve as a description of both units. 7

The diffuser 27 includes a first channel-shaped fitting 28 forming an elongated narrow slot 29 defined by up standing longitudinal first fitting walls 30 and 31. In the form of invention illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2, the wall 31 forms an integral part of the trofler light housing 22 and the fittings 27 are integral with the trolfer light housing The first fitting is further provided with ledges 32 and 33 which project in opposite directions away from the fitting walls 3i) and '31, but which are disposed in a common plane. The ledge 32'serves to provide means for connection with an adjoining margin of the opening in the false ceiling 11. The ledge 33 is hook-shaped and provides means for supporting the light difiuser 23. The bottom of each of the first fittings 28 may be provided with one or more openings 28a in communication with the slot 29 to permit air movement through the fitting 28.

A second channel-shaped fitting 34 is mounted on top of the first fitting 28 and includes a pair of spaced longitudinal walls 35 and 36 which are spaced apart a distance slightly less than the distance between the longitudinal walls Strand 31 on the first fitting 28. It will therefore be appreciated that the second fittings 34 aresupported on the trofier light housing 22 and on the first fittings 28 in the form illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2.

The second fitting 34- is provided with a stepped wall 37 at an upper end of second fitting wall 35 which stepped wall conforms with the shape, of the trofifer housing and thus diverges away from the first fitting wall 35 and is cooperable therewith to define aplenum chamber 38. The plenum chamber is preferably centrally located with respect to the length of the diifuser 27. The plenum chamber 38 has a circular outlet defined by flanges 35a and 38a disposed at the upper ends of the second fitting walls 35 and 38. A collar 39 is secured to the flanges 55a and 38a and the flexible conduit is retainingly mounted on the collar 39.

Each of the difiusers 27 is provided with baifie means for promoting evenly diffused flow of air at opposite sides of the housing. The means here illustrated comprises a pair of baffles 40 and 40a mounted on the walls and 36 of the second fitting 34 for disposition interiorly of the elongated slot 29. The bafiie includes a baflie wall 40b inwardly inclined from the fitting wall 35 and an angled inclined bafile wall 460 which is angled towards the outer edge of the slot opening 28a. Air as it passes from the plenum chamber 38, strikes the baffle surface 40b and is deflected against the slightly angled second baffie 40c and caused to pass through the slot opening 28a.

The apportioning box 16 has a pair of outlet collars 41 and 42 mounted over the apportioning box outlets l8 and 19 and an inlet collar 43 mounted over apportioning box inlet 17. The conduits:20 and 21 are supported at upstream end on the collars 41 and 42. The hose or conduit 1S ismounted on the collar 43. The collar 43 is mounted upon a felt ring 43a which providesan air seal. Mounted on the collar 43 is an air flow regulating valve 44. The valve 44 includes a bracket 45 which supports the valve on the collar. Damper valve plates 44a, 44a may be caused to move with respect to one another by turning screw 44b in order to regulate air flow into the apportioning box or unit 16.

Illustrated in FIGURES 3, 4 and 5 is a modified type of air diffuser 27'. Primed reference numerals have been employed to describe the components of the diffuser 2.7 which correspond generally to the components of the diffuser 27 previously described.

In this form of the invention, the difiuser 27' includes a first fitting 28 which comprises an extrusion formed separate and apart from the trotfer light housing, as was the case with the first fitting 28 described in connection with the first embodiment of this invention.

The first fitting includes an elongated narrow slot 2'9 which is defined by spaced longitudinal fitting walls 349' and 31. Air may be flowed through the slot 29' and through openings 28a provided in the first fitting. Ledges 32' and 33 are provided at opposite margins of the first fitting 28 for supporting a false ceiling and for supporting a lower margin of a trotfer light housing.

-Mounted upon the first fitting 28' is a second fitting 34' which is identical to the fitting 34. The fitting 34' has a centrally located plenum chamber 33' and a collar 39' mounted thereover for connection with flexible hose and an apportioningbox (not shown) in the same manner as previously described. The first and second fittings are secured together by snap-on means which in the illustrated form comprises a resilient spring metal clip 56 mounted on the second fitting 34 by means of a fastener 51. It will be noted the upper end of the first fitting wall 30' is provided with an offset shoulder 33a and the hookshaped clip is provided with a hooked end 50:: engaged fitting 3 for securing the first fitting 28 in assembly I therewith.

Illustrated in FIGURE 6 is still another modified type of air diffuser 60. The difiuser 60 includes a first channelshaped fitting 2S and a second channel defining fitting 34 which fittings are identical to the fittings shown in FIG- URE 4 and previously described. In this formof the invention, spring clips are not employed for securing the fittings together, however. In this form of the invention, the second fitting 34' rests upon the first fitting 28 and the first fitting 28 may be suspended from a main ceiling by guy wires (not shown) if desired. A valve supporting bracket is mounted internally of the collar 39' over the inlet into the plenum chamber 38'. A bell-shaped valve element 62 is suspended from the bracket 61 by means of a screw 62a in the plenum chamber inlet. By turning the screw, the position of the bell-shaped valve member 62. may be varied to alter the fluid flow through the plenum chamber 33. The valve member 62 is provided with a series of perforations 62b through which air may pass in a controlled manner.

There is thus provided an air and light diffusing system which requires a minimum of head room and wherein an air apportioning box is included for connection with plural numbers of air diffuser units. It will further be appreciated that new and improved air diffusers are disclosed herein embodying important features of the present invention.

Although minor modifications might be suggested by those versed in the art, it should be understood that I wish to embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of my contribution to the art.

We claim:

1. Air and light distribution apparatus for combination with the ceiling of a room, comprising,

a false ceiling for the room having at least one opening therein through which air and light is to be distributed,

a fluorescent troffer light in said opening having a troffer housing recessed above said false ceiling, a pair of first channel-shaped fittings disposed at opposite edges of said opening and each including inner and outer upstanding longitudinally extending walls forming an elongated narrow air slot, inner and outer ledges projecting .in opposite directions from said inner and outer walls and disposed in a common plane,

said outer ledge underlying said false ceiling at the adjoining edges of said opening, said inner ledge forming a mounting means underlying the adjoining edges of said troffer light,

a pair of second channel-shaped fittings each including inner and outer longitudinal Walls spaced apart to telescopically fit together with the upstanding walls of a corresponding one of said pair of first fittings,

said inner longitudinal wall conformably overlying said trofier light housing,

said outer longitudinal wall extending upwardly, said inner and outer longitudinal walls forming the side walls of an air chamber in said second fitting communicatingwith a corresponding said air slot,

and means forming an opening in each of said second fittings for efiecting a coupling, connection of said air chambers with a ventilating system as an air supply or an air return.

2. Air and light distribution apparatus as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by bafile means for promoting evenly diffused flow of air outwardly through said air slot comprising,

a first baffle wall inwardly inclined from each corresponding outer upstanding longitudinally extending wall of said first fitting and a second bafile wall angularly inclined towards the outer edge of the corresponding air slot.

3. Air and light distribution apparatus as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by a supply duct extending into the space behind said false ceiling,

an apportioning box having a plurality of outlet collars and a single inlet collar,

a valve in said inlet collar,

and flexible ducts connected between said supply duct and said inlet collar and between each respective outlet collar and a corresponding opening in said second fitting, whereby a valve controlled quantity of air delivered to said apportioning box will be discharged through said air chambers to said air slots.

4. An air and lighting system for combination with a ceiling of a room to be ventilated and illuminated com prising a fluorescent troffer light having a troiier light housing extending upwardly for overhead support and forming a trough for opening through a ceiling to emit light rays into a room,

slot-type air difiusers on opposite sides of the trolfer light each comprising a fitting forming an elongated narrow slot approximately coextensive in length with said trotfer light,

said fittings each having upstanding longitudinal walls on opposite sides of said slot and terminating in an enlarged air chamber superjacent said slot, means forming openings in said fittings for communication with said air chambers, an air apportioning housing disposed in a space above the ceiling, said housing having a valve controlled opening for connection to a ventilating system, and plural conduit means joining said apportioning housing with each of said openings into said air chambers enabling air to be supplied or returned through said slots adjacent the light emitting trough. 5. The system of claim 4 further characterized by each of said fittings comprising a channel-shaped extrusion provided with ledge means at an inner margin for supporting a light diffuser beneath the fluorescent troffer light. References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,960,602 11/60 Kurth 98-40 2,991,708 7/61 Falk 98-40 3,012,133 12/61 Archer 984O 3,045,577 7/62 Lazerson 9840 3,072,038 1/63 Phillips 9840 ROBERT A. OLEARY, Primary Examiner. 

1. AIR AND LIGHT DISTRIBUTION APPARATUS FOR COMBINATION WITH THE CEILING OF A ROOM, COMPRISING, A FALSE CEILING FOR THE ROOM HAVING AT LEAST ONE OPENING THEREIN THROUGH WHICH AIR AND LIGHT IS TO BE DISTRIBUTED, A FLUORESCENT TROFFER LIGHT IN SAID OPENING HAVING A TROFFER HOUSING RECESSED ABOVE SAID FALSE CEILING, A PAIR OF FIRST CHANNEL-SHAPED FITTINGS DISPOSED AT OPPOSITE EDGES OF SAID OPENING AND EACH INCLUDING INNER AND OUTER UPSTANDING LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING WALLS FORMING AN ELONGATED NARROW AIR SLOT, INNER AND OUTER LEDGES PROJECTING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS FROM SAID INNER AND OUTER WALLS AND DISPOSED IN A COMMON PLANE, SAID OUTER LEDGE UNDERLYING SAID FALSE CEILING AT THE ADJOINING EDGES OF SAID OPENING, SAID INNER LEDGE FORMING A MOUNTING MEANS UNDERLYING THE ADJOINING EDGES OF SAID TROFFER LIGHT, A PAIR OF SECOND CHANNEL-SHAPED FITTINGS EACH INCLUDING INNER AND OUTER LONGITUDINAL WALLS SPACED APART TO TELESCOPICALLY FIT TOGETHER WITH THE UPSTANDING WALLS OF A CORRESPONDING ONE OF SAID PAIR OF FIRST FITTINGS, SAID INNER LONGITUDINAL WALL CONFORMABLY OVERLYING SAID TROFFER LIGHT HOUSING, SAID OUTER LONGITUDINAL WALLS UPWARDLY, SAID INNER AND OUTER LONGITUDINAL WALL FORMING THE SIDE WALLS OF AN AIR CHAMBER IN SAID SECOND FITTING COMMUNICATING WITH A CORRESPONDING SAID AIR SLOT, AND MEANS FORMING AN OPENING IN EACH OF SAID SECOND FITTINGS FOR EFFECTING A COUPLING CONNECTION OF SAID AIR CHAMBERS WITH A VENTILATING SYSTEM AS AN AIR SUPPLY OR AN AIR RETURN. 